if passed the law would prevent them from gathering publicly. a similar law was passed the st. petersburg. >> the parliament was small but vocal. gay rights campaigners gathered to protest about a bill that would make their demonstrations illegal. it would make promoting homosexuality a criminal offense with those found guilty facing jail. >> we will not be able to come out with posters like today with our symbols to say publicly you are a homosexual in an interview would be considered propaganda. >> the bill has been heavily criticized by human rights groups but the counterprotesters were there. >> when gay people come out in the street to promote this way of life, it promotes a violation of my are the and children's rights and people this worries us and we demand a ban and punishment. >> the zoigs pass the bill was passed by more than half of the members of parliament. it doesn't clearly define what the promotion of homosexuality is but it states it poses a threat to national security and family rights. in russia gay couples have been arrested but the bill has to pass and be